MORAY WEST: Renewable Energy to Power Scotland’s Future

Offshore wind is set to bear a huge amount of the heavy lifting of the UK’s energy requirements, delivering at least a third of the electricity demand by 2030. With the price of energy from offshore wind now at record low levels – the most recent UK government contracts for new offshore wind projects stood at £41/MWh compared to £92/MWh for new nuclear – as well as decarbonising the economy, wind is helping to deliver value to households and businesses whilst sallying forth to Net Zero carbon emissions.

An integral element in the drive to supply UK homes with renewable energy and facilitate a successful energy transition, the Moray West wind farm will export clean green energy into the National Grid for the benefit of hundreds of thousands of consumers.

“Moray West offers the deployment of a proven technology in a location with a recognised wind resource to deliver a low-cost, low-carbon supply of electricity for up to 640,000 homes,” underlines Moray Offshore Renewable Power, “at a time when the UK urgently needs new generation capacity to maintain an affordable supply of power.

“Once constructed, the project will provide a secure, reliable source of energy as an important step in climate action.” Currently, plans are based on the project becoming operational and generating first power in 2024, with an operational life of over 25 years. 

VITAL CONTRIBUTION

60 Siemens Gamesa SG 14-222 DD offshore wind turbines, installed on fixed monopile seabed foundations, will join forces to present a combined installed capacity of almost 900MW over a 225km2 surface area, enabling 1.1 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions to be circumvented. The project’s rapid deployment plan is targeting installation of the Siemens machines in 2024, thus representing the first serial use of the massive 14 MW innovations, rapidly earning a reputation as the leader of the offshore revolution.

“Siemens Gamesa has a strong track record, and this model will allow the next progression in efficiency for offshore wind power generation,” commented Adam Morrison, Project Director for Moray West. “We look forward to working with Siemens Gamesa to ensure a smooth and safe installation programme as we move towards generation from this major renewable project.

“The project stands to make a vital contribution to Scotland’s renewable energy and climate change targets,” underlines Ocean Winds (OW), the Engie and EDP Renewables (EDPR) joint venture, formed in 2019 to bring together an existing pipeline portfolio of offshore wind projects and grow new business. Holding a 95% interest in the project, the resulting company describes itself as, “made by the wind, empowered by its clean and endless energy which we believe will lead us to a better, carbon neutral world.

“Both companies of the OW joint venture believe that offshore wind energy is becoming an essential part of the global energy transition, leading to the sector’s rapid growth and increased competitiveness. That is why they have included all their existing and pipeline offshore portfolios in the new company.

“OW has a strategic advantage and is well positioned to play a leading role in the offshore market.

“Innovating from limitless resources and inspiration to engage the world into energy transition,” is how Ocean Winds sums up its mission to make energy happen every day. Scotland is famed for a phenomenal wind resource, one of the most abundant on the planet, and wind is easily its fastest-growing renewable energy technology; an oft-proven ambition, experience and commitment stands the country in good stead to become a global leader in offshore wind power.

Moray Offshore Renewable Power then fully harnesses this potential by going further from shore and into deeper water than anyone else, allowing it to build larger wind turbines where the wind is especially plentiful. As with its East predecessor, Moray West is situated 22km from the coast, where it enjoys higher wind speeds and consistency in direction as well as greatly reduced impact on the local population.

MAJOR MILESTONES

In July, Moray West secured a major project milestone, having successfully bid for a 15-year Contract for Difference (CfD) as part of the UK government’s latest allocation round, bringing it closer to the final investment decision (FID) and financial close (FC). “Ocean Winds is pleased to receive a CfD offer for its Moray West project and continues to focus its efforts and expertise on reaching FID and delivering the project on time,” beamed COO for Ocean Winds, Grzegorz Gorski.

“We are particularly proud of our long-term commitment with the UK. In the Moray Firth area, where our Moray East project is now operational, we have built strong relationships with our stakeholders, shaping together a growing offshore wind sector, and delivering clean energy and opportunities for the region.” Gorski’s sentiments were echoed by Morrison, who recognised the vital contribution of all stakeholders in building a robust commercial project that underpins this successful bid. “We now look forward to taking Moray West through its construction phase and delivering significant economic opportunities for Scotland and the UK.”

Another significant deal penned with Global Energy Group (GEG) marked the latest step in finalising the full supply chain for the project; a multi-million-pound contract for the supply of complex elements of foundation structure at the offshore substation platforms (OSPs).

“In the challenging global supply chain context that we find ourselves in, we are pleased we have concluded this contract with GEG for local fabrication of these key, technically difficult, foundations structures,” Morrison unravelled. GEG, headquartered in Inverness, will fabricate the J-tubes at the quayside fabrication facilities at the Port of Nigg, situated in the Cromarty Firth and supporting 50 local jobs.

As with Moray East, Port of Nigg has been selected for the Moray West offshore wind farm and will be subject to an almost continuous use for pre-assembly and installation campaigns. “The decision to utilise Nigg follows three successful and safe large installation campaigns, including our sister project Moray East,” Morrison stated, of the desire to continue to benefit from the high quality deep water port facilities on offer. 

The Moray West project stands to make a vital contribution, not only to Scotland’s renewable energy and climate change targets, but to the regional and national supply chains which have already benefitted from investment during the development phase and will continue to do so throughout construction and its 25-year operational lifetime. “Our progress on finalising all commercial and contract arrangements,” OW concludes, “will now enable us to ramp up construction activity through 2022 and 2023, as we near delivery of a project crucial to the move to a net-zero economy.”